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A groundbreaking cross-sectional study of the forms and extent of gender inequality in the "Big Five" religions of the world
Sexism in Major Religions: A Comparative Introduction provides clear and accessible analyses of the complex forms of androcentrism and patriarchy in five of the world's major religions--Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. With a unique comparative-thematic methodology, this student-friendly textbook bridges the gap between Religious Studies and courses in Gender and Sexuality Studies, Feminist Studies, Religion and Society, and more.
Following a brief introduction to each religious system covered, Sexism in Major Religions defines important terms and concepts in modern religious feminism, including sex and gender, androcentrism and patriarchy, and revolutionary and reform feminisms. Each remaining chapter focuses on one of seven themes representing the main sources and manifestations of religious discrimination against women, such as the gender of the deity, the duties of the mother, and the status of the wife within marriage. Throughout the text, author Paul Gwynne discusses the formal gender-biased teachings and practices, distinctive features, intersecting areas, and core arguments of conservative defenders and feminist critics of each religion.
* Provides students with deep comparative insight into the similarities and differences between major religions on issues of gender equality
* Offers a fresh and original approach to exploring the forms of sexism across seven distinct themes
* Presents a timely and accurate account of the "landscape of sexism" in five of the world's largest religions
* Includes a dedicated chapter examining the status of intersex and transgender persons in religious systems
Designed to broaden students' understanding of religions through systematic and impartial discussion, Sexism in Major Religions: A Comparative Introduction is an ideal textbook for undergraduate courses in Religious Studies and Social Sciences programs, as well as an invaluable resource for general readers interested in understanding and reforming sexist features within religious traditions.
List of contents
Note on Scriptural Translations and References x
Acknowledgements xi
List of Figures xii
Introduction 1
1 Religions 10
Hinduism 10
Buddhism 16
Judaism 22
Christianity 27
Islam 34
Summary 40
2 Feminisms 44
Sex and Gender 44
Androcentrism and Patriarchy 51
Conservative and Liberal Mindsets 57
Revolutionary and Reform Feminism 62
3 Deity 73
Gods and Goddesses 73
Higher Beings 79
The God of Israel 85
Allah 92
Father, Son and Spirit 97
Summary 104
4 Woman 109
Bad Karma 110
Changing Sex 114
Adam and Hava 119
Daughters of Eve 126
The First Couple 134
Summary 140
5 Founders 146
The Founder of Judaism? 147
Muhammad 153
Buddha Gautama 162
Jesus of Nazareth 170
Summary 179
6 Wife 187
Buddhist Disinterest 187
Pativrata 190
Love, Honour and Obey 198
The Chained Ones 204
A Degree over Them 209
Summary 216
7 Mother 224
The Second Eve 224
A Painful Condition 231
Niddah 236
Pumsavana 244
The Five Woes 249
Summary 254
8 Seductress 262
Witch 262
Tzniut 267
Hijab 273
Apsaras and Ghunghats 280
Mara's Daughters 285
Summary 290
9 Leader 297
Broken Lineages 297
The Sacred Thread 304
From Exemption to Exclusion 309
The House of Umm Waraqa 318
Christ and the Twelve 324
Summary 333
10 (LGBQ)TI 343
The Third Nature 343
Pandakas 349
The Six Categories 354
Khuntha and Mukhannath 361
The Order of Creation 368
Summary 375
Conclusion 384
Appendix A "The 100 Most Influential People in History" (Michael Hart) 397
Appendix B The 32 Major Marks of a Buddha 399
Appendix C The Ninety-Nine Names of Allah 400
Appendix D The Two Genesis Stories of Creation 403
Select Bibliography 408
Index 414
About the author
PAUL GWYNNE is a Teaching Fellow in Comparative Religion at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. He completed his doctoral studies in Rome and has taught Theology and Religious Studies in Indonesia and at the Melbourne College of Divinity. His books include
World Religions in Practice:
A Comparative Introduction and
Buddha, Jesus and Muhammad: A Comparative Study.
